Autism awareness riders make their way from Florida to California

Marilyn Monroe

Wednesday

Feb 24, 2010 at 12:01 AMFeb 24, 2010 at 4:08 AM

They call themselves “the Wolf Pack.” A trio of young Connecticut men in their 20s are bicycling across the country from St. Augustine, Fla., to San Diego trying to raise awareness of autism and collecting donations for Autism Speaks.

They call themselves “the Wolf Pack.” A trio of young Connecticut men in their 20s are bicycling across the country from St. Augustine, Fla., to San Diego trying to raise awareness of autism and collecting donations for Autism Speaks.

The journey has led them through the state of Louisiana and the city of Sulphur, where they took some time out to rest at the home of Mary and Larry Hebert.

“I think what they are doing is great. They are good, respectable boys,” Mary Hebert said. “I love them.”

It was a family connection that drew the men to the Heberts. Mitch Gudeahn, one of the riders, dates Mary’s grandniece, and it was her mother who asked the Heberts if they would be willing to offer Mitch, his brother Matt Gudeahn and their friend Brandon ‘Tito’ Deschenes some Southern hospitality while in the area.

“I think these boys should be noticed. What they are doing is amazing,” Mary Herbert said.

And it was family connection that brought the young men to the decision to ride for autism.

Deschenes’ nephew, now 8 years old, was diagnosed with autism when he was 4. The cyclists will take donations on the road but generally direct people to their Web site, www.autismrides.com, to link up to a donation page for Autism Speaks. One hundred percent of proceeds from the ride will go to the organization. They are paying for their trip through money saved and are sponsored by Don Dauphinas, the owner of Danielson Adventure Sports in Danielson, Conn. Their goal is to raise $10,000. So far, they have raised $750.

They began their trip from Florida earlier this month and were surprised by the sudden slap of northern-style wintery weather in the Deep South. And while bad weather, Deschenes’ knee issues and a few bicycle problems slowed their forward progress, they soon found their routine, riding for about four to five days and resting for a day or so between.

“Once we hit Alabama, we got into the groove,” Matt Gudeahn said.

All three agreed that their stay in Louisiana has been the best yet, first enjoying New Orleans, a place they had not visited previously, before arriving for a break in Sulphur.

In Louisiana they have met the best people, but some of the roads and manners of drivers on those roads haven’t been the best.

“People often don’t realize how hard it is for cyclists to be safe on the road,” Mitch Gudeahn said.

But their enthusiasm for being on the road and for their cause has not dampened one bit. Matt Gudeahn summed up his feelings about the experience: “This is like winning the lottery.”

And the admiration the Heberts have for them is evident.

“This is such an unselfish thing that they are doing,” Mary Herber said.

The trio will be leaving the area this week after Matt Gudeahn’s bicycle is repaired. Their plan is to cycle through Texas before breaking in Austin on their way toward San Diego, where they will take a train back home.